NWC silent on university's claim of regulation breach

The National Water Commission (NWC) has opted to remain silent on claims made by the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies that it is breaching water pressure regulations set by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).

Charles Buchanan, the NWC's manager of corporate communications, told The Gleaner last night that the NWC had no public comment on the allegations.

"Neither the NWC, nor I, will be making a public comment on those issues at this point in time," said Buchanan.

The university made the claims last week in reaction to the NWC's assertion that current water problems affecting the campus are caused by internal distribution issues, which fall under the institution's responsibility.

The university said that the NWC's explanation was not the full truth.

In a statement, Dr Carroll Edwards, the Mona campus's director of communications, said the water pressure on the campus varied from as high as 50psi (pounds per square inch) to five psi, adding that "it appears that the pressure at the point of entry to the campus is often below the minimum standard" set by the OUR.

The OUR's Statement on Quality of Standards Scheme indicates that the NWC "should maintain minimum/maximum water pressure ranging from 20-60psi".

The water issues at the Mona campus have angered students, who, recently, reportedly bombarded the office of a student services manager.